New York Red Bulls II played its second match of the USL season on Saturday, April 4 against Toronto FC II. Red Bulls II struck early and often in the match, earning a 4-1 victory, the first in franchise history. NYRB II now prepare for the final fixture of its opening three game homestand against Wilmington Hammerheads.
New York Red Bulls II host Wilmington Hammerheads at Red Bull Arena on Sunday, April 12 at 4 p.m. EDT (WATCH: Live stream available on NewYorkRedBulls.com/Live).
Historic Victory
New York Red Bulls II claimed the first victory in club history last weekend in a 4-1 victory against Toronto FC II at Red Bull Arena. Anatole Abang opened the scoring in the 8th minute and Shawn McLaws supplied the game winner in the 39th. In the second half Marius Obekop converted a penalty kick and Leo Stolz notched his first professional goal to round out a dominant win inaugural win for Red Bulls II.
Red Bulls II controlled the tempo in the first half and tallied the first two goals of the match. TFC II re-gained life when a shot deflected off of Karl Ouimette and in, but NYRB II re-gained control when Derrick Etienne played a dangerous through ball to Abang, allowing the Reds’ defender no choice but bring him down in the penalty area. Obekop blasted his spot kick into the top corner and Stolz supplied the insurance goal in an all-around impressive display from the newly formed USL side.
Shawn McLaws named to USL Team of the Week
Defender Shawn McLaws has been named to the USL Team of the Week for the third week of the 2015 season. McLaws, the Red Bulls’ third round pick (59th overall) in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft, played right back in the NYRB II victory. While on loan from the MLS side, McLaws defended effectively and scored his first professional goal against Toronto FC II. This is the second consecutive week a member of Red Bulls II has received USL Team of the Week honors, with defender Colin Heffron the recipient of the award in week two.
USL Pros Make Debut
Former Red Bulls Academy players Dan Metzger and Tyler Adams were the latest Red Bulls II signees to make their professional debuts. On April 4 against Toronto FC II, Metzger entered the match in the 43rd minute and impressed in the midfield, even getting one shot off in the game. Adams entered the match as a second half defensive substitute in the 67th minute.
Shark Week
On Sunday, April 12, Wilmington Hammerheads FC (0-0-2) makes its first trip to Red Bull Arena. This will be the Hammerheads’ third match of 2015 and first on the road. In their home opener, Wilmington tied Richmond Kickers 2-2 and midfielder Justin Moose received USL Team of the Week honors for week two after supplying one goal and an assist. Moose, a former D.C. United and Vancouver Whitecaps player, is in his first season with Wilmington and has been the team’s standout performer through two matches.
Last week Wilmington played out a 1-1 draw against fellow North Carolina team Charlotte Independence. Nick Zimmerman put the Hammerheads in front in the 43rd minute when he converted a penalty kick, but Charlotte would equalize in the 72nd minute to solidify the road point.
Getting to know…Wilmington Hammerheads
Founded in 1996.
Affiliated with MLS club New York City FC.
Former Wilmington player Glenn Murray, currently at Crystal Palace in the English Premier League, scored his fifth goal in five games against Manchester City last weekend. Palace went on to defeat the English giants, 2-1.
Wilmington midfielder Corben Bone was a first round pick in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, taken by the Chicago Fire. He spent three seasons with the Men in Red. Last season he joined Philadelphia Union and spent the year on loan in Wilmington. He has 10 career caps with the United States Under-17, U-18 and U-20 National Teams.
Midfielder Sunny Jane is a Lesotho international. Lesotho, a small land-locked country located within the boundaries of South Africa, is only a few hundred miles larger than the state of Maryland.
